§404. Establishment of programs of substance abuse

            A. Each city and parish school board shall establish and maintain in every school such grade-appropriate programs of alcohol, drug, and substance abuse prevention, education, information, and counseling as are developed by the section on drug free schools and communities and approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for inclusion in the school program as required in Subsection B of this Section. The programs shall include providing the website and phone number of at least one national organization specializing in substance abuse for adolescents. Each school board shall also post this contact information on its website.

            B.(l) The state superintendent of education, with the approval of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, shall develop, furnish to local school boards, and coordinate the implementation of the programs required by this Section. Such programs shall be included in the school program such that every student in grades kindergarten through nine is involved for a minimum of sixteen contact hours every school year and every student in grades ten through twelve is involved for a minimum of eight contact hours every school year. The required minimum contact hours shall be incorporated into a comprehensive school health program. Each city and parish school system shall enact policies and procedures for implementation of such programs in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

            (2) In addition, the section on drug free schools and communities shall develop and make available to each school system development programs for teachers and other staff. Such programs shall include procedures for identifying students who exhibit signs of misuse or abuse of such substances and for referral for counseling or treatment, as an alternative to other disciplinary procedures and sanctions provided by law, or in other cases where such referral would be appropriate.

            C. The state superintendent of education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education through the section on drug free schools and communities shall continually study the existing programs, resources, and needs of school districts, and shall utilize this data and local school personnel in the development of a state plan and minimum standards for alcohol, drug and substance abuse prevention and education programs required in Subsection A of this Section.

            D. Any minor who is a student enrolled in any public or private elementary, secondary, vocational-technical, training, special school or institution in Louisiana who is identified as having a substance abuse problem or who is involved in the production, manufacture, possession, distribution, or dispension of any controlled dangerous substance shall be required to participate in the school drug counseling program as provided in this Section in addition to any other penalties as provided by law. However, nothing herein shall prevent the student from participating in any other drug counseling program in lieu of the one in his school, provided such program is approved by the school system.

            Acts 1989, No. 171, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 27, §1, eff. July 6, 1994; Acts 2023, No. 318, §1.